Frequently Asked Questions about the Wheaton and Davis International Fellows Application Process
In addition to the application procedures outlined in the Wheaton/Davis Fellows packet, here are some answers to questions that students will frequently ask.
Is the application process competitive?
Do first year students ever get awarded Wheaton Fellow stipends?
Who determines the Wheaton and Davis Fellow award recipients?
How are Wheaton/Davis Fellows applicants evaluated?
I won last year. Can I apply again?
I didn't win last year. Can I apply again?
I want to help my Wheaton professor with his or her research, can I apply for the Wheaton Fellow?
Can I apply for both the Wheaton and Davis International Fellows?
Can I apply for a Wheaton or Davis International Fellow and receive academic credit?
If I am a Balfour, Trustee, or Community Scholar, can I still apply for the Wheaton or Davis International Fellow?
Is the application process competitive?
Up to 25 Wheaton Fellow and 11 Davis International Fellow stipends are available. The Wheaton and Davis International Fellows stipends are awarded on a competitive basis. You should plan to invest an appropriate amount of time in writing the best proposal possible.
Do first year students ever get awarded Wheaton Fellow stipends?
There is a fairly even distribution of freshmen through juniors who receive awards. Stipends are based on your written proposal, and not your class year.
Who determines the Wheaton and Davis Fellow award recipients?
A committee comprised of faculty and staff review and determine the award winners.
I won last year. Can I apply again?
Due to the limited number of stipends, students who have previously won a fellows stipend can apply, but priority will be given to students who have not previously been awarded a stipend. If you have won before and you decide to apply again, you should know that your application will need to clearly distinguish itself from other applicants¢â¡Á proposals.
I didn't win last year. Can I apply again?
If you applied previously and didn't receive a Fellows stipend, you are welcome to apply again for the same or a different experience. We encourage you to utilize resources such as Filene Center advisors, faculty advisors, peer mentors, and college writing tutors to receive feedback on your proposal.
I want to help my Wheaton professor with his or her research, can I apply for the Wheaton Fellow?
If you propose a research project for your proposal, the topic and implementation of your project should be an idea and design that you developed. Faculty can serve as a mentor and you may consult faculty about the feasibility and implementation of your project.
If you want to work as a research assistant for your professor's research, funding for this activity is offered through the MARS Fellows program, administered by the Provost's office.
How are Wheaton/Davis Fellows applicants evaluated?
Applications are evaluated on the responses to the questions outlined in the application packet and the supervisor's statement. The committee will look at how well you connect your proposed experience to your learning objectives including academic and professional goals. Generally, successful applications have provided specific details and examples to illustrate these potential connections and goals.
We suggest that you read and answer the proposal questions carefully and take advantage of college resources to construct the best possible proposal. Resources include Filene Center staff, faculty advisors, Filene Center Peer Mentors, and College writing tutors.
Can I apply for both the Wheaton and Davis International Fellows?
Separate committees determine the Wheaton Fellow and the Davis International Fellow applications. You can apply for both, though you will need to complete two separate applications. In the event, that you are awarded both Fellows stipends, you can only choose to accept one award. Each application asks its questions differently, be sure to read and answer the proposal questions for each competition.
Can I apply for a Wheaton or Davis International Fellow and receive academic credit?
Stipends are awarded to students who participate in non-credit bearing experiences. Experiences in which you will receive academic credit are ineligible for Fellows funding.
If I am a Balfour, Trustee, or Community Scholar, can I still apply for the Wheaton or Davis International Fellow?
For the Wheaton Fellow:
Class of 2008 and Class of 2009
You must access your Scholar stipend this summer before applying for Wheaton Fellow funding in future summers.
For the Davis Fellow:
Students who are selected as Davis Fellows and who are also Balfour, Trustee or Community Scholars will receive an award equal to the Davis Fellow stipend minus the unused portion of their Balfour, Community and Trustee Scholar stipend.